This landmark Blue Mountains property is a significant addition to the Mercure Grand Hotels network. The deluxe brand is well established in Australia with other heritage hotels such as Mercure Grand Mt Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills and the Mercure Grand Heritage Park in Bowral. Mercure Grand is also prominent internationally in countries including France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, and Brazil. The multi-tiered Mercure brand totals over 700 hotels globally, with over 40 in Australia.

Hydro Majestic Hotel Great Western Highway Medlow Bath, NSW

The Hydro Majestic dates back to 1904, when wealthy Sydneysiders would retreat to the hotel - then called the Hydropathic Establishment - for spa and other health therapies in the clear Blue Mountains air. The hotel was originally established by retail-magnate Mark Foy. In recent years, the hotel has been completely refurbished, combining the original Edwardian character with modern-day comforts. 
All rooms have been fully renovated and new suites added, while restaurants, conference rooms and public areas have been restored to their original grandeur. 
The refurbishment was recognised in the 2001 NSW Tourism Awards for Business Excellence, when it won the 'Unique Accommodation' category. It was also a winner in the previous year's awards as 'Best Tourist Development Project'.

The hotel has 84 rooms and suites, restaurants, extensive conference and function facilities, tennis courts, swimming pool and a variety of recreational activities. 
"This is a truly grand hotel that fits perfectly into the Mercure Grand collection," said said Michael Issenberg, Accor's Managing Director for Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Japan. "We are confident the hotel will benefit greatly from the new branding, particularly in interstate and international marketing, where the Mercure Grand label already has established such strong recognition. 

"It is an outstanding hotel that - thanks to the owners commitment to quality - has been restored to its former glory, while also catering to the needs of the modern day leisure traveller. We are looking to boost both its leisure and conference/functions business."

Mr Issenberg said that the MICE market would be a particular target for the group. Accor has just announced an increase in its group-wide MICE sales and marketing division, and the Hydro-Majestic would benefit significantly from the increased resources.

The hotel has eight function rooms and breakout areas, including a Grand Ballroom with capacity for up to 600 at a cocktail function and 260 for a sit-down function. The hotel specialised in incentives, product launches, team building retreats and large-scale functions. 

Angeline Mah of the Hydro-Majestic's owning company, welcomed the appointment of Accor as managers of the hotel: "We have made a significant investment in the restoration of this hotel over the past five years and we look forward to Accor making the most of the hotel's outstanding potential.

"Branding, and having the support of a national and international sales, marketing and reservations network, is very important for a grand hotel such as this. We look forward to a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with Accor."

Accor is the worldwide leader in travel, tourism and corporate services, employing 145,000 employees in 140 countries.